Officials at Newport council deleted 'inappropriate' tweets by Maror Matthew Evans after he said he was disappointed not to welcome delegates

The Mayor of Newport sparked a civil row on the eve of the Nato Summit after claiming on Twitter he had been snubbed from welcoming dignitaries to the event.

Former Newport council Tory group leader Matthew Evans’ tweets were later deleted by council officials as the posts were deemed “inappropriate”.

Coun Evans, who became the Mayor of Newport last May, had used the official Newport council account to confirm he wouldn’t have a role in welcoming delegates to the host city or to any of the schools they will visit.

But after the tweet expressing the mayor’s disappointment circulated on the social networking site it subsequently vanished.

Coun Evans had said in deleted messages from the @MayorofNewport account: “I can confirm that I will not have a role in welcoming delegates to the host city, or to any of the schools they might visit.”

Coun Evans said the tweet was removed “because [the council] didn’t think it was right to make comment”.

“The council removed it and they weren’t happy with the retweets,” he said.

“I always thought it was a matter of protocol to involve the city’s first citizen, particularly on council premises.

“I suppose it would be organised by Number 10. It would be a big privilege to welcome delegates to Newport.

“I was disappointed. Quite frankly I’ve got a big mayoral schedule. I will still promote the city and get on with my job.”

A Newport council spokesman said: “The party greeting world leaders at the Celtic Manor Resort on Thursday and the dignitaries attending the school visits were all invited by Number 10 Downing Street.

“The council had no involvement whatsoever in who should be invited as they are not civic functions. However the mayor has been invited and will be attending a reception at the Celtic Manor Resort hosted by HRH Prince Charles on Thursday evening as is customary with royal visits.

“The personal tweets from Councillor Evans were removed because it was inappropriate for the mayor’s council Twitter account to be used in this way. The account should not be used to express personal opinions either about Nato visits or any other matters.”

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